Speyside doubles down with second annual whisky festival

Speyside's distilleries are uniting to launch a second annual whisky festival.

The new festival - already nicknamed 'dramfest' - will take place from September 9-11, 2016 at Elgin Town Hall.

It will be the first time the region's distillers come together under one roof to celebrate their products. Speyside is home to more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries.

The event will build on the success of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival which takes place annually in May. Now in its 17th year, the festival runs over five days and this year attracted over 25,000 visitors from 34 different countries.

The new September festival will also showcase local gin and craft beer producers.

Visitors will be able to enjoy cocktail making, a food court, and masterclasses, as well as whisky tasting.

Festival chairman James Campbell said: "Our annual whisky festival has grown in size and stature to become one of the leading events of its kind in the world.

"We are now creating a brand new weekend event with the big difference that the distilleries will be together, under one roof, and that's something that doesn't normally happen on their home territory.

"We've chosen Elgin for the venue because it is central, with good transport links, and we'll be encouraging businesses and other partners to get involved too. Further announcements on what people can expect from the new event, including its official title, will be made in the coming weeks and months.

"This is a great opportunity for distilleries and food and drink producers of Speyside to showcase their products and share what they do.

"While the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has an international audience, and overseas visitors may be among the contingent, we expect our September event to have a particular appeal to the home market, including people from the local area.

"We look forward to developing our plans and helping keep one of Scotland's most famous whisky producing regions well and truly on the map, inspiring more visitors to develop their interest and knowledge of our national tipple."